The families of two motorcyclists killed on Woodward Avenue on Nov. 13 are planning on making a case there was negligence on the part of the City of Manteca and the developer that built the roundabout that was involved in an accident that took their lives.
And the price? $25 million.
According to Manteca attorney James Mootz, who will be representing the family members of Danny and David Craigg, 33 and 36, respectively, who died when they failed to spot the then newly constructed roundabout, experts and witnesses were consulted to determine if the road conditions and the lack of proper signage played a contributing role in the death of the two young men.
While Manteca Police initially estimated that speed played a factor in the accident, Mootz – who will partner with the law offices of Craig Smith – believes that they have more than enough evidence to show that the intersection was not properly signed and should not have been opened to traffic.
They’ll make their case on Thursday when the widows of the brothers symbolically file the lawsuit in San Joaquin Superior Court and deliver a copy of the claim to the Manteca City Clerk’s office.
Both brothers were Lathrop natives, and left behind seven children between them. Their joint funeral at Calvary Community Center was standing room only.
But at the scene of the accident, speed was believed not only by law enforcement to be a contributing factor, but also by witnesses who described one of the large Harley-Davidson motorcycles literally flying through the air before it came crashing down on the other side of Woodward Avenue.
Both were patched members of a local motorcycle club, and the scene of the accident had become a vigil location for children, spouses, family members, friends and fellow motorcyclists who came every night for a week to pay their respects to the two friendly, bubbly and outgoing young men.

To contact reporter Jason Campbell email jcampbell@mantecabulletin.com or call 209.249.3544.